Natick COA executive subcommittee finalizes April 13 agenda, will propose three-year terms for associate members

The Town of Natick Council on Aging Executive Subcommittee met on April 6, 2026, in Conference Room 219 and called the meeting to order at 12:02 p.m. Saul Beaumont, Chair of the Executive Subcommittee, presided; Sal Pandolfo participated by Zoom, and Jim Fitzgerald served as secretary. Donna Tarutz, Director of Council on Aging & Human Services, attended.

The Subcommittee approved the minutes from its March 2, 2026 meeting. Sal Pandolfo moved to accept the minutes "as is," Jim Fitzgerald seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: the Subcommittee finalized the agenda for the full COA board meeting on April 13 and agreed to bring a governance motion that could change the term lengths for some associate members, an action that would affect how those positions are posted and managed on the Town website.

Planned governance motion: the Subcommittee agreed that a motion will be presented to the COA board to set the terms of all associate members sworn in prior to the governance change in October 2025 to three years. The Subcommittee recorded that Sal Pandolfo will coordinate with the Town Clerk/Select Board Secretary to ensure the Town posts the updated terms for current and new associate members.

Remote-meeting policy and logistics: members discussed the Select BoardRemote Policy, which is currently in effect at the Town level and requires hybrid meeting options for meetings that are posted on the Town website. The Subcommittee noted ongoing town-level discussion about the policy's cost implications, including Zoom charges. They also flagged practical limits of free platforms: Zoomfree accounts typically impose a 40-minute limit per meeting, while Teams and Google Meet free options generally allow about an hour.

Board membership and outreach: the Subcommittee agreed to announce at the April 13 board meeting that Clifford Scott requested by email to join the Strategic Planning Subcommittee and the Programs Workgroup. The finalization of the Nominating Subcommittee will also be taken up at the board meeting; Saul Beaumont and a member identified as Mal expressed interest in serving, and Sal Pandolfo said he would join if no other board members volunteer. Members noted that at least three voting members are required for the Nominating Subcommittee. The Subcommittee said that members with upcoming vacancies should expect emails from Billy Walsh, Assistant to the Town Administrator and Select Board, about renewing terms or converting to associate status; Saul Beaumont said he will contact the Select Board chair regarding associates who may be candidates for voting vacancies and to request a new Select Board liaison to the COA board.

Next steps and logistics: the Executive Subcommittee finalized the April 13 COA board meeting agenda and scheduled its own next meeting for May 4, 2026, at the same time and location. The meeting adjourned at 12:48 p.m. Minutes were drafted by Jim Fitzgerald, COA Secretary.

Votes at a glance: Sal Pandolfo moved to accept the March 2 minutes; Jim Fitzgerald seconded; the Executive Subcommittee approved the motion unanimously.